Coeur d'Alene Press

01/01/2026

Mayor-Elect Randy Westlund’s plans for filling Post Falls City Council Seat No. 5 are drawing criticism.

"The mayor makes a nomination and the council votes to confirm," Westlund said. "Some mayors have opted to make a show of this process by bringing forth multiple names and only revealing which is the actual nominee right before the vote."

Westlund took issue with publicly interviewing individuals for the seat only to make the last-minute nomination appointment.

Mayor Elect Randy Westlund’s plans for Post Falls City Council seat five revealed themselves before the new year as word spread that he would not be seeking public applications for the spot, as has been done in the past.

01/01/2026

What hopes and resolutions do you have for 2026?

.

01/01/2026

Relive the year through photos taken by staff st The Press!

Year in Photos by Press staff

01/01/2026

Flu cases are rising in North Idaho.

"We have seen a recent spike in flu activity for our area based on the data we receive from local hospitals," wrote Katherine Hoyer, Panhandle Health District's spokeswoman.

Dr. Ann Weiss, clinical director for Primary Health Medical Group, which has 24 clinics in the Treasure Valley, said in a news release Friday that flu has “skyrocketed” over the past week.

01/01/2026

Don and Jane Veltkamp describe their Birds of Prey Northwest as a place of “refuge, healing and education” for injured and recovering raptors as they prepare them to return to the wild.

Now, the Veltlkamps could use a little healing themselves.

Their St. Maries center of operations, where they also live, sustained severe damage in the recent windstorm.

She said in their 32 years of running the nonprofit that has rehabbed and saved thousands of birds, this is one of their greatest challenges. While Jane and Don are OK as they were not home when the storm struck, some birds were hurt in the storm, and others escaped from their damaged aviaries and h...

01/01/2026

In conjunction with Eastern Washington athletics, Saturday’s contest between the Vandals and Eagles, which tips off at 2 p.m., has been dubbed “Don Monson Legacy Night” to pay tribute to a coach who means everything to both programs.

In conjunction with Eastern Washington athletics, Saturday’s contest between the Vandals and Eagles, which tips off at 2 p.m., has been dubbed “Don Monson Legacy Night” to pay tribute to a coach who means everything to both programs.

01/01/2026

Post Falls plays host to Ridgeline of Liberty Lake on Friday.

Post Falls plays host to Ridgeline of Liberty Lake on Friday.

01/01/2026

Washington State football coach Kirby Moore adds three to football staff.

Washington State football coach Kirby Moore adds three to football staff.

12/31/2025

Tech entrepreneur Greg Carr hopes to inspire a North Idaho College student with an all-expenses-paid, monthlong trip to Mozambique this summer.

Tech entrepreneur Greg Carr hopes to inspire a North Idaho College student through a monthlong trip with all expenses paid to Mozambique during the summer of 2026.

12/31/2025

2025, in headlines:

Here's a look back at the biggest stories the Press broke in 2025.

12/31/2025

New Year's Eve revelers will have plenty of options to ring in the New Year along Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene tonight.

12/31/2025

As new 2026 calendars are flipped open, Kootenai County Young Professionals (KCYP) members will circle the date in January when they gather to celebrate the possibilities of the new year while lifting the community's future.

As new 2026 calendars are flipped open, Kootenai County Young Professionals members will be circling the date in January when they gather to celebrate the possibilities of the new year while lifting up the future of the community.